New Delhi, March 28: State-owned ONGC Ltd has bagged four of the 16 blocks awarded in the ninth round of bidding under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (Nelp) as an operator.

The contracts for 13 oil and gas blocks were signed today. The other three could not be signed because of the absence of company officials.

The government is expecting investments close to $600 million from this round.

ONGC got operating rights for four blocks — one alone and three as part of a group — while a consortium led by Oil India won two blocks.

A consortium led by GAlL (India) Ltd was awarded an onshore block in the Cambay basin.

Deep Energy, a subsidiary of US-based Deep Industries, won three onshore areas and Sankalp Oil and Natural Resources three areas each. Focus Energy, Pratibha Oil and Natural Gas and Pan India Consultants got one onland block each.

The Centre had offered 34 areas under Nelp IX. Bids were received for 33 at the close of auction on March 28 last year.